Police: Airville-area man beat teen girlfriend inside car

An Airville-area man repeatedly punched his 16-year-old girlfriend in the head and face while driving in heavy traffic in Red Lion last week, state police allege.

Michael Dean Meinl, 19, of 258 E. Telegraph Road in Lower Chanceford Township, is free on $7,500 bail, charged with the third-degree felony of child endangerment, the misdemeanors of simple assault, corruption of a minor and disorderly conduct, and the summary offenses of harassment and careless driving.

State police said his girlfriend, who lives in Columbia, Lancaster County, was treated by an ambulance crew after the alleged beating and spit up a large amount of blood she'd swallowed from the mouth injuries she suffered.

According to charging documents, Meinl and the girl were in his Chevrolet Malibu in heavy traffic about 4:30 p.m. Friday near the intersection of East Broadway and North Main Street when they began arguing.

'Slammed her face': Meinl grabbed the girl's hair and "slammed her face into the center dash of his vehicle," documents allege.

He then punched her in the mouth and head several times, according to documents.

An eyewitness told police Meinl also threw his cellphone at the girl's face, police allege.

Because the girl is a juvenile, Meinl had a duty to care for her, police said. Instead, he exposed her to violence and endangered the public by assaulting the girl while simultaneously driving in heavy traffic, documents allege.

State police tried to make contact with Meinl after the alleged beating, but their attempts were "met with negative results," documents state.

Arrested: Meinl was arrested and arraigned on his charges Monday and taken to York County Prison in lieu of bail, according to court records.

He was released from prison after his bail was posted Tuesday by a local bail bondsman, court records state.

A phone number to Meinl's home has been disconnected and he could not be reached for comment. It's unclear whether he has retained an attorney.